Introduction
Accidentally deleting important files stored in the cloud is a common problem many of us face. Cloud storage services like Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, and iCloud provide easy access to our files across devices. However, this convenience comes with the risk of unintentionally deleting files and folders. Thankfully, most cloud storage services keep file versions and allow you to restore deleted data within a limited timeframe. Knowing how to retrieve deleted files from the cloud can save you from catastrophe. In this guide, I will walk you through the step-by-step process of recovering lost data from popular cloud storage platforms.
How Cloud Storage Works
Before learning how to restore deleted files, it’s important to understand how cloud storage works.
Cloud storage services rely on servers and data centers operated by companies like Dropbox, Microsoft, Google, and Apple. Rather than saving files directly on your computer’s hard drive, cloud storage allows you to upload files to remote servers via the internet. This gives you the ability to access your data from any device by logging into your cloud account.
Most cloud storage services will keep file versions and copies as you edit and update content over time. They do this to allow you to revert changes or restore older versions of files. This version history is key to recovering deleted data. Even if you permanently delete a file, it may still be retained for a period of time on the company’s servers.
Knowing this, let’s look at how to restore deleted files from the most popular cloud platforms.
Restoring Deleted Files on Dropbox
Dropbox is one of the oldest and most widely used cloud storage providers. Here are the steps to restore deleted files on Dropbox:
1. Check the File Recovery Page
Log into your Dropbox account online and go to the File recovery page. Here, Dropbox keeps a list of files and folders you’ve deleted over the past 30 days. You may be able to quickly restore files from this page.
2. Browse and Restore Deleted Files
On the file recovery page, browse through the list of deleted items. Click the Restore button next to any files or folders you want to recover. Dropbox will restore these to their original location in your account.
3. Search File History
If you don’t see the deleted item on the file recovery page, go to the File history page. Here you can search through all previous versions of files stored on Dropbox’s servers. Enter keywords to find older copies of deleted files.
4. Restore a Previous Version
When you find a deleted file in the file history, click on the timestamp to open the version. Click Restore to recover that specific version to your Dropbox account. This allows you to retrieve files deleted more than 30 days ago.
Recovering Deleted Files on OneDrive
OneDrive, owned by Microsoft, also stores previous file versions making restoration possible for a limited time. Here is how to restore deleted data on OneDrive:
1. Open the Recycle Bin
Log into your OneDrive account online and click on the Recycle bin in the sidebar. This shows you all files and folders you’ve recently deleted.
2. Restore Deleted Items
In the Recycle bin, check the boxes next to deleted files or folders you want to restore. Click Restore to move these items back to their original locations in OneDrive.
3. Search Version History
If an item is not in the Recycle bin, click on the Versions tab in the file viewer. Search through your version history for older copies of deleted files. Click on a version timestamp then click Restore to recover that copy.
4. Contact OneDrive Support
If you still can’t find the deleted file anywhere in your OneDrive, get in touch with OneDrive’s customer support. They may be able to restore deleted data from their backups if you act quickly!
Retrieving Deleted Files on Google Drive
Google Drive offers two main options for file recovery: the trash and version history. Here’s how to make use of them:
1. Check the Trash Folder
Open your Google Drive account and look for the Trash folder in the lefthand sidebar. Recently deleted files are moved here and retained for 30 days.
2. Restore Files
Open the Trash folder and check the boxes next to deleted files/folders you want to restore. Click Restore to move these back to their original Google Drive location.
3. Search Version History
If a file has been permanently deleted from the trash, click on the Version history icon in the file viewer. Dig through older versions of the file to find instances saved before deletion.
4. Roll Back To Previous Version
When you find a version saved before the file was deleted, click Restore this version to recover that specific copy to Google Drive. This allows you to retrieve files no longer in the trash.
Restoring From iCloud Delete Bin
For Apple users, iCloud offers a central place to recover recently deleted files. Follow these steps:
1. Go to Recently Deleted
Log into iCloud.com and click on the Recently deleted folder under Apps. This shows you files removed in the past 30 days.
2. Recover Deleted Items
Browse the delete bin and click the Recover button next to files you want to restore. iCloud will move these back to their original folder locations.
3. Check Version History
If you don’t see the file in Recently Deleted, open the file viewer and click Browse all versions…. Search through old versions to find copies saved before deletion.
4. Restore Previous Version
Select an older version saved before the file was deleted. Click Restore to overwrite the current (deleted) version with the selected copy.
Avoid Accidental File Deletion
Following these steps, you should be able to recover deleted files from Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, and iCloud. However, prevention is the best solution. Here are some tips to avoid deleting important cloud data:
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Enable file versioning – This lets you rewind changes and access deleted files.
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Back up your cloud storage – Create redundant copies on an external drive or secondary cloud account.
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Add file protections – Use locks, mark files as keep, and disable permanent deletion.
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Be careful when emptying the trash – Double check for important files before permanently erasing.
With vigilance and the above recovery methods, you can minimize data loss hazards posed by the cloud. Act quickly when important files go missing to improve your chances of restoring them intact.
